[D66] Against blackmail, for the sovereignty and dignity of the Greek people

[J.N.]

On 06/28/2015 06:53 AM, J.N. wrote:
> Saturday, 27 June 2015 11:00
> Against blackmail, for the sovereignty and dignity of the Greek people
>
>
> Speech by Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of Greece
>
> Fellow Greeks,
>
> For six months now, the Greek government has been waging a battle in
> conditions of unprecedented economic suffocation to implement the
> mandate you gave us on January 25.
>
> The mandate we were negotiating with our partners was to end the
> austerity and to allow prosperity and social justice to return to our
> country. It was a mandate for a sustainable agreement that would
> respects both democracy and common European rules and lead to the final
> exit from the crisis.
>
> Throughout this period of negotiations, we were asked to implement the
> agreements concluded by the previous governments with the Memoranda,
> although they were categorically condemned by the Greek people in the
> recent elections. However, not for a moment did we think of
> surrendering, that is to betray your trust.
>
> After five months of hard bargaining, our partners, unfortunately,
> issued at the Eurogroup the day before yesterday an ultimatum to Greek
> democracy and to the Greek people. An ultimatum that is contrary to the
> founding principles and values of Europe, the values of our common
> European project.
>
> They asked the Greek government to accept a proposal that accumulates a
> new unsustainable burden on the Greek people and undermines the recovery
> of the Greek economy and society, a proposal that not only perpetuates
> the state of uncertainty but accentuates even more the social
> inequalities. The proposal of institutions includes: measures leading to
> further deregulation of the labor market, pension cuts, further
> reductions in public sector wages and an increase in VAT on food, dining
> and tourism, while eliminating tax breaks for the Greek islands.
>
> These proposals directly violate European social and fundamental rights:
> they show that concerning work, equality and dignity, the aim of some of
> the partners and institutions is not a viable and beneficial agreement
> for all parties but the humiliation the entire Greek people.
>
> These proposals mainly highlight the insistence of the IMF in the harsh
> and punitive austerity and make more timely than ever the need for the
> leading European powers to seize the opportunity and take initiatives
> which will finally bring to a definitive end the Greek sovereign debt
> crisis, a crisis affecting other European countries and threatening the
> very future of European integration.
>
> Fellow Greeks,
>
> Right now, weighs on our shoulders the historic responsibility towards
> the struggles and sacrifices of the Greek people for the consolidation
> of democracy and national sovereignty. Our responsibility for the future
> of our country. And this responsibility requires us to answer the
> ultimatum on the basis of the sovereign will of the Greek people.
>
> A short while ago at the Cabinet meeting, I suggested the organization
> of a referendum, so that the Greek people are able to decide in a
> sovereign way. The suggestion was unanimously accepted.
>
> Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will be urgently convened to
> ratify the proposal of the Cabinet for a referendum next Sunday, July
> 5th on the question of the acceptance or the rejection of the proposal
> of institutions.
>
> I have already informed about my decision the President of France and
> the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the ECB, and tomorrow my
> letter will formally ask the EU leaders and institutions to extend for a
> few days the current program in order for the Greek people to decide,
> free from any pressure and blackmail, as required by the Constitution of
> our country and the democratic tradition of Europe.
>
> Fellow Greeks,
>
> To the blackmailing of the ultimatum that asks us to accept a severe and
> degrading austerity without end and without any prospect for a social
> and economic recovery, I ask you to respond in a sovereign and proud
> way, as the history of the Greek people commands.
>
> To authoritarianism and harsh austerity, we will respond with democracy,
> calmly and decisively. Greece, the birthplace of democracy will send a
> resounding democratic response to Europe and the world.
>
> I am personally committed to respect the outcome of your democratic
> choice, whatever that is. And I’m absolutely confident that your choice
> will honor the history of our country and send a message of dignity to
> the world.
>
> In these critical moments, we all have to remember that Europe is the
> common home of peoples. That in Europe there are no owners and guests.
> Greece is and will remain an integral part of Europe and Europe is an
> integral part of Greece. But without democracy, Europe will be a Europe
> without identity and without a compass.
>
> I invite you all to display national unity and calm in order to take the
> right decisions. For us, for future generations, for the history of the
> Greeks. For the sovereignty and dignity of our people.
>
> Translated by Stathis Kouvelakis
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